Victim support and car buying? Are they even related?Read this e-mial I just received

Subject: FW: Vehicle purchases

CNN Headline News did a short news listing regarding Ford and GM's
contributions to the relief and recovery efforts in New York and
Washington. The findings are as follows......

1. Ford- $1 million to American Red Cross matching employee
contributions of the same number plus 10 Excursions to NY Fire Dept.
The company also offered ER response team services and office space to displaced government employees.

2. GM- $1 million to American Red Cross matching employee
contributions of the same number and a fleet of vans, suv's, and
trucks.

3. Daimler Chrysler- $10 million to support of the children and
victims of the Sept. 11 attack.

4. Harley Davidson motorcycles- $1 million and 30 new motorcycles to
the New York Police Dept.

5. Volkswagen- Employees and management created a Sept 11 Foundation,
funded initial with $2 million, for the assistance of the children and
victims of the WTC.

6. Hyundai- $300,000 to the American Red Cross.

7. Audi- Nothing.
8. BMW- Nothing.
9. Daewoo- Nothing.
10. Fiat- Nothing.
11. Honda- Nothing despite boasting of second best sales month ever in
August 2001.
12. Isuzu- Nothing.
13. Mitsubishi- Nothing.
14. Nissan- Nothing.
15. Porsche- Nothing. Press release with condolences via the Porsche
website.
16. Subaru- Nothing.
17. Suzuki- Nothing.
18. Toyota- Nothing despite claims of high sales in July and August
2001. Condolences posted on the website.

Whenever the time may be for you to purchase or lease a new vehicle,
keep this information in mind. You might want to give more
consideration to a car manufactured by an American-owned and / or
American based company. Apart from Hyundai and Volkswagen, the foreign
car companies contributed nothing at all to the citizens of the United
States. It's OK for these companies to take money out of this country,
but it is apparently not acceptable to return some in a time of
crisis. I believe we should not forget things like this. Say thank
you in a way that gets their attention. Pass it on.

Is this true or an Urban Legend? And does it matter really if it is true? Why should anybody have to give money if they don't want to? I'm sorry but I still will not buy a Ford. I understand why American companies would give and of course Harley (po po motorcyles). But Fiat? So what?...This e-mailed just puzzled me.

[KatWoman]

I have seen this floating around myself. I still am going to buy a new car based on what I want. You should give to charity or good causes because you WANT to, not because you feel you need to just to score a sale.